Alpha-Ketoglutarate

Alpha-Ketoglutarate (AKG; umbrella record)

Evidence & Status

  • Preliminary / Experimental
  • Preliminary

At a Glance

Endogenous Krebs-cycle metabolite. The cited longevity study used Ca-AKG in mice; no human lifespan extension has been established.

Plain English

AKG is a molecule involved in normal cellular energy metabolism. This record is intentionally broad, so it separates the free molecule from Ca-AKG and other AKG salts rather than treating them as interchangeable. The cited lifespan research was done in mice given Ca-AKG. A human report discussed an AKG-based product, but it was retrospective, used a multi-ingredient formulation, and measured a biological-age biomarker rather than lifespan. That does not show that AKG alone reverses aging or extends human lifespan.

Overview

Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG), also called 2-oxoglutarate, is an endogenous Krebs-cycle metabolite. This umbrella record distinguishes free AKG chemistry, calcium alpha-ketoglutarate (Ca-AKG), and other salts such as arginine AKG; they are not chemically or formulation-equivalent. The displayed molecular-weight value of 146.1 refers to free AKG/alpha-ketoglutaric acid, not Ca-AKG. The cited lifespan and morbidity findings were reported in C57BL/6 mice given Ca-AKG and do not establish human lifespan benefit or benefit for every AKG formulation. A separate retrospective report evaluated a multi-ingredient Ca-AKG-based Rejuvant formulation and a DNA-methylation-age endpoint; it does not establish that isolated AKG or isolated Ca-AKG reverses aging. AKG is marketed as a dietary-supplement ingredient, not an FDA-approved treatment represented by this record.

Research Summary

A cited Cell Metabolism study reported lifespan, healthspan, and morbidity findings in C57BL/6 mice administered Ca-AKG. It is preclinical evidence for that calcium salt and cannot establish human longevity benefit or effects of free AKG or other salts. A separate retrospective analysis of 42 individuals using a multi-ingredient Ca-AKG-based Rejuvant formulation reported changes in a DNA-methylation-age measure after an average of seven months; its formulation, retrospective design, and biomarker endpoint do not establish that isolated AKG reverses aging or extends lifespan. The ABLE publication describes a randomized placebo-controlled sustained-release Ca-AKG protocol with aging-biomarker endpoints; it is a protocol, not efficacy results.

Research Areas

  • Longevity
  • Epigenetic aging
  • Metabolic health
  • Cellular energy metabolism
  • Krebs cycle
  • TET enzyme activity

Safety & Risks

Serious Risks

  • The Ca-AKG mouse findings do not establish efficacy for free AKG, other AKG salts, or humans
  • The retrospective Rejuvant report studied a multi-ingredient AKG-based formulation and a DNA-methylation-age endpoint; it does not establish isolated AKG reversal of aging
  • Human lifespan extension has not been established
  • Commercial supplement composition can vary by exact formulation

Reported Side Effects

  • Formulation-specific human safety evidence remains limited
  • Long-term human safety is not established by the evidence represented here
United States
Marketed as a dietary-supplement ingredient; not an FDA-approved treatment represented by this record.
United Kingdom
Jurisdiction-specific status is not assessed in this reference.
Australia
Jurisdiction-specific status is not assessed in this reference.
Canada
Jurisdiction-specific status is not assessed in this reference.

Citations & Sources